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Parents Warn Others About Flu's Potential Danger

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Nov 25, 2007 9:46 pm US/Central

Parents Warn Others About Flu's Potential Danger

DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― A North Texas family wants others to learn from a mistake they say cost them their daughter's life.

Their message to other parents: get your kids vaccinated for the flu.

"It's just like putting a helmet on your kids when they ride a bike, or making sure they're in a seatbelt," said Joe Lastinger. "Things like that are very simple, but when the time comes they make a tremendous difference."

Joe and Jen Lastinger said they found out the hard way after they lost their little girl to the flu.

Emily Lastinger died from complications of the flu in 2004. At that time, a flu shot was not recommended for healthy children who are six months to five years old.

Both say her death could have been avoided by a decision they didn't make.

"I wish I had that choice to make over again. If I could be one of the moms saying, 'Hmmm. Should I get my child vaccinated this flu season?' I would love to have that decision back," said Jen.

Health experts say October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later.

Flu season can begin as early as October and end as late as May.

Annually, 200,000 people are hospitalized due to the flu, and of those, roughly 36,000 die.

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